From the team’s early days with founder Bruce McLaren to the modern era with Lando Norris, McLaren has been home to some of Formula 1’s most iconic and successful drivers.
Here, we count down the Top 10 McLaren drivers based on their number of race starts with the team, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the Woking-based outfit’s rich history.
Denny Hulme, a New Zealand racing legend, joined McLaren in 1968 and remained with the team until his retirement in 1974, amassing 85 race starts and securing his place as one of McLaren’s most enduring early drivers. Fresh off his 1967 World Championship with Brabham, Hulme brought experience and grit to McLaren, achieving eight of his ten career victories during this period, including standout wins at the 1968 Italian and Canadian Grands Prix. His tenure saw consistent points finishes, with a notable third-place championship result in 1968, though he never clinched the title with McLaren despite strong performances. Hulme’s time at McLaren, under Bruce McLaren’s leadership, was marked by reliability—starting all but one race—and a competitive spirit, culminating in 12 podiums and a legacy as a key figure in the team’s formative years, retiring after the 1974 US Grand Prix following Bruce McLaren’s tragic death in 1970.
Image via Wikipedia
Kimi Raikkonen, the Finnish “Iceman,” raced for McLaren from 2002 to 2006, accumulating 87 starts and establishing himself as a formidable talent during a highly competitive era of Formula 1. Joining from Sauber, he quickly adapted, securing his first career victory at the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix and finishing runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship that year, just two points shy of Michael Schumacher, despite McLaren’s car often lacking the pace of Ferrari. Raikkonen’s tenure included nine wins and 28 podiums, showcasing his speed and cool-headedness, though reliability issues—such as engine failures in 2006—often hampered his title chances. His standout 2005 season saw seven wins, yet he finished second again due to mechanical setbacks, before departing for Ferrari in 2007, leaving McLaren with a legacy of raw talent and a near-miss at the championship.
Image via CristianoBarni/Deposit Photos
Fernando Alonso, the Spanish double world champion, raced for McLaren across two stints—2007 and 2015–2018—totalling 94 starts in a tenure marked by brilliance and turbulence. Joining in 2007 fresh off titles with Renault, he won four races, including Monaco, and finished third in the championship, but his season was overshadowed by a fierce rivalry with teammate Lewis Hamilton, prompting his exit after one year. Returning in 2015 during McLaren’s struggling Honda era, Alonso endured three winless seasons, managing only occasional points finishes with uncompetitive cars. His McLaren legacy reflects a mix of standout performances and frustration, retiring from F1 in 2018 before later returning with Alpine.
Image via ivi7g/Deposit Photos
Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian racing icon, drove for McLaren from 1988 to 1993, amassing 96 starts and cementing his legend with three world championships and 35 of his 41 career victories. Joining from Lotus, he dominated 1988, winning 8 races—including a masterful Monaco performance—to claim his first title, often clashing with teammate Alain Prost in one of F1’s greatest rivalries. Senna’s tenure peaked with back-to-back titles in 1990 and 1991, highlighted by wins like Japan 1990, though his final 1993 season saw five victories but a second-place finish as McLaren’s Ford engine couldn’t match Williams. His time at McLaren, ending before his 1994 move to Williams, remains a golden era of skill, charisma, and relentless pursuit of perfection.
Image via CristianoBarni/Deposit Photos
Alain Prost, the French “Professor,” competed for McLaren across two spells—1980 and 1984–1989—totalling 107 starts and delivering three of his four world championships with surgical precision. After a brief 1980 debut cut short by injury, he returned in 1984, winning 7 races each in 1984 and 1985 to secure titles, and again in 1988 took 7 wins, though he lost that year’s points battle to teammate Senna. Prost’s McLaren years featured 30 victories, including classics like Monaco 1984, and a fierce 1989 rivalry with Senna, ending with his third championship and exit to Ferrari after a controversial clash in Japan. His tenure showcased tactical brilliance and consistency, shaping McLaren’s mid-80s dominance.
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Lewis Hamilton, the British prodigy, launched his F1 career with McLaren from 2007 to 2012, racking up 110 starts and clinching his first world championship in 2008. Debuting in 2007, he stunned with 9 podiums in his first 9 races, finishing second in the championship, then won 5 races in 2008 to claim the title at age 23, for McLaren’s first title since 1998. His tenure included 21 victories, like the wet-weather masterclass at Silverstone 2008, though later years saw runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2012 as McLaren lagged behind Red Bull. Hamilton’s McLaren era, ending with his 2013 Mercedes move, laid the foundation for his record-breaking career.
Image via atursports/Deposit Photos
Lando Norris, the young British talent, has driven for McLaren since 2019, accumulating 128 starts by the end of the 2024 season and emerging as a cornerstone of the team’s modern resurgence. Debuting at 19, he scored points in his first season, then broke through with his maiden win at Miami 2024, adding multiple podiums, showcasing his pace and maturity. Norris’s tenure has coincided with McLaren’s climb back to competitiveness, where the team won the 2024 Constructor’s Championship. Norris is poised to climb into the #1 slot during the 2025 F1 season.
Image via McLaren
Mika Hakkinen, the Finnish “Flying Finn,” raced for McLaren from 1993 to 2001, totalling 131 starts and securing back-to-back world championships in 1998 and 1999. After a test role in 1993, he became a full-time driver, breaking through with his first win at Jerez in 1997, then dominated 1998 with 8 victories and 1999 with 5, edging Michael Schumacher. His tenure featured 20 wins and 36 podiums, marked by speed and resilience, though injuries and reliability woes—like 2000’s late-season retirements—curtailed further titles. Hakkinen retired in 2001, leaving McLaren as a two-time champion and fan favourite.
Image via Wikipedia
Jenson Button, the smooth-driving Brit, raced for McLaren from 2010 to 2016, logging 136 starts and blending consistency with flair after his 2009 title with Brawn GP. His McLaren debut saw instant success. Button finished second in the 2011 championship behind Vettel, often outscoring teammate Hamilton, but later seasons yielded no wins as McLaren’s form dipped with Honda engines in 2015–2016. Retiring from F1 in 2016, his tenure added 8 victories, 27 podiums, and a polished legacy to McLaren’s roster.
Image via lakasa studyo/Deposit Photos
David Coulthard, the dependable Scotsman, raced for McLaren from 1996 to 2004, leading the team’s all-time starts with 150 and delivering steady results across nine seasons. Joining from Williams, he won 13 races, including Monaco 2000 and 2002, and finished second in the 2001 championship, supporting teammate Hakkinen’s title bids while stepping up when needed. Coulthard’s tenure included 51 podiums, though he never challenged for the title in the peak Schumacher years, often playing a reliable number-two role. His long McLaren stint, ending in 2004, bridged the team’s late-90s success to its early-2000s transition.
Image via Wikipedia
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